Lohmar named USGC China director

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) announced on April 2 the appointment of Dr. Bryan Lohmar as its new director in China.

In this capacity, Lohmar will oversee the council’s programs in the country while maintaining and fostering key relationships with Chinese policy officials. Lohmar comes with a wealth of industry knowledge and experience having most recently served a three-year stint as the director of economic research for Bunge China in Shanghai. Prior to that, he was an economist for USDA’s Economic Research Service, where he focused on a wide range of agricultural production and trade topics, many pertaining to China.

“Lohmar’s background will be a tremendous benefit to the Council’s work in China,” said Dr. Wendell Shauman, USGC chairman. “We are happy to have him with us as his business leadership and trade promotion experience will be incredibly valuable to the Council’s work in this important market.”

Lohmar is graduate of the University of California, Davis, with a doctorate degree in agricultural economics. He has authored numerous papers on China commodity supply and demand trends, and China’s own natural resource challenges and future needs.

“The council has been active in the China market since 1982. Persistent, on-ground engagement in China created a foundation of credibility and trust that enables the council to engage with the highest levels of Chinese ministries, research institutes and end-users on the value of trade as a solution to food security,” said Thomas C. Dorr, USGC president and chief executive officer. “This level of engagement, combined with China’s growing middle-class economy has made this market into one of the newest demand drivers for U.S. corn and co-products. Lohmar’s direction and leadership will be essential to continuing our market presence in China.”